NBA fines Nikola Jokić, Julius Randle for Nuggets-Timberwolves Game 4 altercation

Atlantic76ersCelticsKnicksNetsRaptorsCentralBucksBullsCavaliersPacersPistonsSoutheastHawksHeatHornetsMagicWizardsSouthwestGrizzliesMavericksPelicansRocketsSpursNorthwestJazzNuggetsThunderTimberwolvesTrail BlazersPacificClippersKingsLakersSunsWarriorsScores & ScheduleStandingsThe Bounce NewsletterNBA DraftPodcastsFantasyNBA OddsNBA PicksWhat Makes Up Championship DNA?Hollinger's Playoff PreviewPlayer Poll: Who is the MVP?Player Poll: Who Will Win Title?NBA fines Nikola Jokić, Julius Randle for Nuggets-Timberwolves Game 4 altercationThe NBA announced punishments for the game-ending altercation between the Nuggets and Timberwolves on Saturday. AAron Ontiveroz / Getty Images Share articleNikola Jokić was fined $50,000, and Julius Randle was fined $35,000 for their roles in an altercation between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwovles at the end of Saturday’s Game 4 in Minneapolis. The NBA announced the punishments Sunday, one day ahead of a potential closeout Game 5 on Monday night in Denver. With 1.3 seconds left in Saturday’s matchup, Jokić ran toward Jaden McDaniels after McDaniels chose to make an uncontested layup rather than dribble out the clock, giving the Timberwolves a 112-96 win and 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference first-round matchup. Tempers flared on the sidelines in front of the Timberwolves’ bench, but no punches were thrown. Aaron Gordon and Jonas Valančiūnas both left the Nuggets’ bench and crossed half court during the altercation, while Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert and Bones Hyland both stepped onto the court from the Wolves’ bench. League rules state that players must “remain in the vicinity of the bench” during a on-court incident or be subject to an automatic suspension. However, none of those four players were punished. Tensions were high at the end of Game 4 between the Nuggets and Timberwolves 😳 Both Nikola Jokic and Julius Randle were ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. pic.twitter.com/U7Pg8ULO1J This series marks the third time in four years that the Nuggets and Wolves have faced off in the playoffs. After Game 2 of this year’s series, McDaniels made waves by saying all Minnesota needed to do to win was attack Denver’s weakest defenders, then proceeded to list off the names of several “bad defenders.” Among them were Jokić and teammates Jamal Murray, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Gordon. “They’re all bad defenders,” McDaniels said. McDaniels has been a thorn in the Nuggets’ side throughout this series with his scoring (15.5 points per game) and lockdown defense. His defensive contributions have aided four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert’s efforts guarding Jokić, the three-time MVP, one-on-one. Jokić finished Saturday with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, but he connected on only 8 of 22 shots and missed all three of his 3-point attempts. The Nuggets will try to overcome a 3-1 series deficit for the first time since the 2020 playoffs. That year, Denver became the first team in NBA history to overcome multiple 3-1 series deficits in a single postseason — against the Utah Jazz in the first round, then against the LA Clippers in the second round. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms